Pain Relief

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Finding Immediate Relief
1 Take over-the-counter analgesics. Over-the-counter medicine is that which can be purchased without a prescription from a doctor. In particular, you should try non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs come in tablet, capsule, and spray form and help to relieve pain as quickly as possible. This sort of medicine works to block prostaglandins--the chemicals responsible for mediating pain. When they become blocked, pain also becomes blocked. However, keep in mind that you should never go over the dosage directions written on the bottle of the medication.

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The main NSAIDs are:
Acetaminophen: This drug helps to block pain centers in the brain and control the central nervous system. The most common form of Acetaminophen is Tylenol.
Ibuprofen: This is a regular NSAID--it reduces prostaglandin production and reduces muscle aches. The most common form of ibuprofen is Advil and Motrin.
Naproxen: This works to reduce inflammation caused by bone and muscle strain. It is also an effective pain reliever. The most common form of naproxen is Aleve.

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2 Use a hot pack. If you are experiencing muscle spasms that are causing pain, use a hot pack. Wrap the hot pack in a towel and then gently place the hot pack on the affected spot. Leave the hot pack on for 20 to 30 minutes. The heat will work to soothe the pain, calm the muscle spasms, and reduce joint stiffness.

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3 Use a cold compress. Cold compresses can be used on strained muscles, as well as muscle spasms. In the case of a cold compress, you should cover the affected area for 20 minute increments over the course of 24 hours.
If you don’t have a cold compress, you can make your own by wrapping an unopened bag of frozen vegetables in a cloth.

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4 Allow yourself to rest. If you are experiencing extreme back pain, it may be your back telling you it needs to rest. Stop doing whatever activity was causing the pain and lie down or do something that is not physically demanding. Keep in mind that movement is a part of pain relief as well--you should resume doing some undemanding physical activities after the intense pain has subsided.

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5 Get a massage. Massages help to relax and nurture over-stretched muscles. In particular, deep tissue massages can act as an immediate form of pain relief. Massages also help to reduce your back’s scoliosis curve while simultaneously strengthening your muscles.
Other forms of massage that work particularly well to relieve scoliosis pain include traditional Swedish massages and cranial sacral therapy massages.

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Relieving Back Pain with Physical Therapy
1 Stretch often. One of the best ways to regain flexibility and muscle strength is by stretching. In fact, stretching can be an excellent way to reduce back pain, you just have to be cautious not to over-stretch or you could accidentally inflict more pain on yourself.
One of the best stretches you can do involves stretching your arms above your head. If you begin to feel pain creeping into your back, stand up as straight as you can and reach your arms above your head with your hands pointing up to the sky. This stretch will help to release pressure on your nerves caused by distorted vertebrae.

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2 Do exercises to increase your back’s strength and flexibility. Walk, bicycle or attend aerobics classes to help build endurance. You should also practice exercises like the plank, which will help to strengthen your back while also providing pain relief. To do the plank:
Lay on your stomach and place your forearms and elbows on the floor. Your forearms should be parallel with the ground. Rise up on the tips of your toes and hold your body in a straight line so that your back is perfectly flat. Your back should be a straight rod running from the top of your head, through your shoulders, all the way to your toes. Hold this position for 15 or 30 seconds.

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3 Do pilates. As odd as it may sound, practicing pilates is one of the best ways you can exercise when you are having trouble with scoliosis. Pilates focus on promoting balance which in turn helps to develop both deep and superficial muscles. The stretching involved will also help to relieve back pain.
Consult with your doctor or physical therapist before trying pilates. Most of the time, people suffering from scoliosis pain will need to have a pilates routine tailor to their specific needs.

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4 Practice yoga. As stated above, stretching can really help to relieve back pain. Yoga stretches that target pain caused by scoliosis focus on the spine, scapula, feet, legs, psoas muscles, and abdominal muscles. Practicing yoga will help relieve pain while also promoting relaxation of the mind which can help in overcoming pain.
Try triangle pose. This pose focuses on strengthening and stretching the arms, legs, and abdominal muscles. It is an excellent way to open up your core and help your spine to become more flexible.

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5 Do a knee-to-chin press. This pose is also called Pravan Muktasana and helps increase blood flow to your hip joints while also helping the spine to relax. Lie on your back and bring to your knees to your chin. Wrap your arms around your knees and legs and remain in that position for several moments.
Perform a cat stretch. This is one of the best poses for relieving tension in the back. It will help make your back muscles strong while helping your spine to become more flexible.

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Correcting Scoliosis for Pain Relief
1 Talk to your doctor. The following treatments will have to be confirmed by a doctor before they can be employed. Some types of scoliosis do not have to be treated at all as they are caused by another ailment in the body that needs to be corrected. Consult with your doctor about the steps you can take to treat your scoliosis.

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2 Wear a brace. Braces cannot treat scoliosis, but they can slow down the progression of the effects of scoliosis. When you first start using the brace, you will need to wear the brace each day and night. However, as your time with the braces progresses, you may be able to wear it less. Braces are particularly important because they can reduce the need for surgery.
If you begin wearing a brace soon after being diagnosed with scoliosis, it may keep your back from curving further. If the curve of your back stays at 25 to 40 degrees, you will not need surgery.

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3 Get surgery. If your back curves more than 40 degrees, you will most likely need to get surgery to ensure that your back stops curving. If you do not get surgery, you spine may continue to curve one to two degrees each year. You will have have to consult with your doctor about the next steps you will have to take.